2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,382 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,843. Set against $24,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $73,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #3 place for civil engineering. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #4 place for civil engineering. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,548 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $76,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place for civil engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,054. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $76,248. That is a strong return on a $19,054 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #6 position for value in civil engineering this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $28,250. Civil Engineering graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $69,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $76,547. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Michigan Technological University placed #8 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $74,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University earned the #9 position for value in civil engineering this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Civil Engineering graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $59,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,781 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $65,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #11 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,701. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,820. That is a strong return on a $21,701 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $22,275 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $67,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cleveland State University earned the #13 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for civil engineering value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #15 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,250. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $78,253. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #16 spot for civil engineering value this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,522. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $69,582. That is a strong return on a $23,522 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #17 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $64,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Toledo placed #18 among the best values for civil engineering. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $70,388. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $29,156. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,706. That is a strong return on a $29,156 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #20 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $75,829. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Michigan State University came in at #21 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $72,048. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Valparaiso University came in at #22 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $69,549. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #23 for value in civil engineering this year. Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $50,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn a median of $72,940 early in their careers. Set against $27,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milwaukee School Of Engineering admits about 59% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $75,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bradley University earned the #25 position for value in civil engineering this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $72,573. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in civil engineering:
Narrow Civil Engineering Schools by State
More Civil Engineering Rankings
View All Civil Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
